AFTER hunting high and low in the annual quest for musical majesty, Tamworth has crowned its 35th queen of country music on the final night of the festival.
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Rebecca Hunt took the crown at a ceremony at the Tamworth Jockey Club on Sunday night while Casey Skewes was named the 2019 princess of country music.
Ms Hunt works in retail and was sponsored in the queen quest by Hunt’s Joinery.
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She was encouraged by her manager to step out of her comfort zone and enter the queen quest.
She’s enjoyed growing her network and being seen as a positive role model for women.
When not working, she is either riding horses or spending time with her large family.
Ms Skewes also works in retail and enjoys horse riding.
Her aunt, Rebecca Pritchard won the Country Music Queen Quest in 2002 and sparked her interest in getting involved.
Emerie Anonical was awarded Miss Congeniality and Lauren Foley was awarded Miss Social Media.
The Queen Quest judging process ran over several weeks with a number of high-profile community representatives on the panel, including Tamworth Regional Councillor deputy mayor Phill Betts, Mary Ryan-Garnett, Sophie O’Neill, Tim Coates and Deb Maes.
The quest is overseen by the Zonta Club of Tamworth and president Stephanie Cameron said it fit well with the organisation’s focus of empowering women.
“Zonta members work with women to help them grow in confidence and make a difference in their community,” Ms Cameron said.
“The quest offers a well-rounded program with entrants participating in a range of personal and professional development opportunities including public speaking; confidence coaching; styling as well as formal media training.”
As part of the major prize, the newly crowned Queen will travel to Tamworth’s sister city, Gore in New Zealand and represent Tamworth at the 2019 Gore Country Music Festival.
Both the Queen and Princess will be ambassadors for Tamworth and the region throughout 2019, spending the next 12 months volunteering their time and assisting at a range of high-profile civic and community events, guest speaking engagements and corporate and festival functions.
Cr Betts said the quest is one of the great ongoing traditions of the festival.
“Entrants play an important role during festival, attending official events and supporting visitors to the town with their enquiries,” he said.
“The quest really is a fantastic opportunity for the girls to develop professionally and personally, whilst making a significant contribution to their community.”
